News and Announcements

Judge Watanabe to lecture on freedom of political activity for public officials in Japan

January 11, 2013

Japanese Judge Mitsuaki Watanbe will present a free public lecture at Wayne State University Law School at 12:15 p.m. Feb. 4 in the third-floor faculty lounge. Lunch will be provided.

The judge’s lecture, titled “Introduction to Judgments Regarding Freedom of Public Officials’ Political Activity” will focus on two recent criminal case decisions by the Supreme Court of Japan, and what they may mean to freedom of expression for public officials there.

Watanabe is here as part of a special arrangement by Wayne Law, the Third Circuit Court of Michigan and the Supreme Court of Japan. The arrangement, which began in 2007, provides for a judge from the Japanese judicial system to visit Michigan to research and study the American judicial system, with a special emphasis on Michigan trial courts.

“We are pleased to welcome Judge Watanabe for this lecture,” said Wayne Law Interim Dean Jocelyn Benson. “This leading Japanese jurist will offer an interesting legal perspective to our students.”

For more details, contact the Law School Dean’s Office at 313-577-3933.

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